CR North win creates first-place tie

NEWTOWN TWP. — Council Rock North field hockey coach Heather Whalin couldn’t have scripted it any better than this.

Her Indians came from behind to defeat intra-district rival Council Rock South 2-1 in overtime, in Thursday’s Suburban One League National Conference game at Walt Snyder Stadium.

“I’m so proud of my team and the way they didn’t quit when we were behind,” Whalin said.

It was the first conference loss of the year for CR South and, coupled with Neshaminy’s 2-0 win over Pennsbury, created a three-way tie for first place as CR North, CR South and Neshaminy all moved to 6-1 in league play.

CR South got on the board first with a goal by Kristen Meihofer with 10:39 remaining in the game.

It looked like the Golden Hawks were going to hang on until CR North was awarded a penalty stroke with just under three minutes left in the game.

Madison Gouza took the shot for CR North and found the back of the cage to tie the game.

“I had confidence because I had one in Monday’s game (a 2-1 nonleague win over Mount St. Joseph) and I got it in,” said Gouza, a senior. “I felt like the momentum of the game really shifted after that.

“South is a huge rival for us, and it’s so great to win.”

The tally forced overtime, and Gouza netted the game-winner with 6:46 remaining.

The Indians needed the win to stay at the front of the SOL National race after losing to Neshaminy on Tuesday.

“That was a tough loss for us. It was a day when we were all off, but maybe we needed that kick in the butt to show us what we need to do,” Gouza said. “There’s still a lot of the season left to be played and we don’t want second place. We want to get out there and win it.

“Our team is young, but everyone is stepping up and has their assets that they bring to the team, and I really do think the second half of the season will be really good for us.”

The loss snapped a six game win streak for CR South.

“It was very disappointing,” CR South senior defender Mary Melnick said. “We had the advantage and we lost it. We needed to play harder.

“Our defense did a good job of not giving up a lot of shot on corners, but we need to do a better job of cutting back to the ball and getting it out of the circle.

“They got that stroke late in the game, and I think that really took the momentum from us. This is our first league loss, but there’s still half of the season to go.

“We knew it was going to be very competitive and it has been. It would have been hard to get through and be undefeated, and I still feel good about our team and how we’ll do in the second half.”

CR North had an 11-7 edge in corners and outshot the Golden Hawks 10-5.

Karen Sangillo, 215-345-3070; email, ksangillo@calkins.com

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